April 7th, 2025

Today is the 29th day of Lent.
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from Psalm 143.

 
Lord, hear my prayer, 
    listen to my cry for mercy; 
in your faithfulness and righteousness 
    come to my relief. 
Do not bring your servant into judgment, 
    for no one living is righteous before you. 
The enemy pursues me, 
    he crushes me to the ground; 
he makes me dwell in the darkness 
    like those long dead. 
So my spirit grows faint within me; 
    my heart within me is dismayed. 
I remember the days of long ago; 
    I meditate on all your works 
    and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you; 
    I thirst for you like a parched land. 
  

The Psalmist sounds at his end, doesn’t he? He feels pursued, crushed, like he dwells in darkness. His heart feels faint, and his spirit is dismayed. Have you ever felt so entirely spent? Like you’ve got barely a drop of energy left? Or barely a drop of faith left? Take the next quiet moments to honestly consider this question: what’s the condition of your own soul today? If you were to paint a picture of the state of your soul right now, what would that picture look like?  
   
Maybe you feel full of life, like a small child filled with energy . Maybe you feel fierce and committed, like a strong tree standing against a storm. Or maybe, like the psalmist, you feel like a parched land… Dry. Dusty. Dismayed. Listen to the psalm again and note the actions that he takes alongside giving voice to how he’s feeling.   
   
The Psalmist remembers. Meditates. Considers. He spread out my hands to God. He thirsts for God. The Psalmist brings his whole self to God. Do you know that you can bring your whole self to God? Not only the parts that are happy and healthy? But the parts that are in pain? The parts that feel shadowed? The parts that hurt? Actually, let’s say that another way: did you know that God is already present to your whole self. He is always near to you. In His faithfulness and righteousness, He will come to your relief. As we end our time of prayer today, consider giving your word to taking a few moments during your day around lunch, and again around dinner, where you will take a moment to quiet yourself, take a deep breath, and sit in stillness for a few moments inviting God to make you aware of His presence. 
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.   
 
Music: Catch Your Breath - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)